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Austin Dillon Event Preview: Michigan 400

"I look forward to representing American Ethanol, Growth Energy and the National Corn Growers Association in the Sprint Cup Series. They've become great partners for RCR in the Nationwide Series, and I commend their commitment to clean air."

This Week’s American Ethanol Chevrolet at Michigan International Speedway … Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 396 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable. This Chevrolet is a new addition to the RCR fleet and will be put through its first paces this weekend.

Dillon at Michigan International Speedway … Dillon has four starts at MIS, spread among the NASCAR Nationwide Series (finished 19th in 2009), NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (finished fifth in 2010 and 22nd in 2011) and ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards (finished second in 2009). The 2011 Camping World Truck Series Driver Champion earned the pole award at the two-mile track in the 2010 edition of the Camping World Truck Series race.

WIN with American Ethanol … American Ethanol will activate a strategic integrated branding campaign, including an extensive sweepstakes aimed to engage NASCAR fans, from June 8 to August 31, 2012. The “American Ethanol Sweepstakes” will educate consumers about E15, fuel blended with 15 percent American Ethanol, similar to the Sunoco Green E15 used in every race car in NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide, and Camping World Truck Series races. The American Ethanol Sweepstakes will give away over 500 prizes valued at $150,000, including three Chevy Silverados, race tickets and autographed merchandise. Fans can enter for a chance to win online at NASCAR.COM/aesweeps. The sweepstakes will be promoted on the TNT Summer Series race coverage, online via promotional units, on American Ethanol’s Facebook page and onsite at various events across the country.

On Top the Box … Long-time RCR employee and veteran crew chief Gil Martin will serve as crew chief of the No. 33 American Ethanol Chevrolet team this weekend. Martin, who currently serves as RCR’s Director of Team Operations overseeing the organization’s Nationwide Series programs, is among an elite group of crew chiefs who have earned wins in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series. Martin guided Kevin Harvick to four wins, nine top-five and 19 top-10 finishes en route to a third-place showing in the point standings during the 2011 Sprint Cup Series season. He also worked in the Sprint Cup Series with Casey Mears, Clint Bowyer and Robby Gordon at RCR.

Double Duty … In addition to Sunday’s Sprint Cup Series race, Dillon is scheduled to compete in RCR’s No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet in the Nationwide Series Alliance Truck Parts 250 at MIS on Saturday afternoon. The race is scheduled to be broadcast live on ABC beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Meet Dillon … Dillon is scheduled to make an appearance at the Team Chevrolet Stage located near the track’s main Gate 24 ticket office in the New Holland Fan Plaza beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET on Friday.

Trackside, Live … On Friday evening, Dillon is scheduled to appear on Trackside Live. The program airs on SPEED beginning at 7 p.m. ET.

Last Time Around … In his Sprint Cup Series debut at Kansas Speedway last October, Dillon drove the No.98 Curb-Agajanian/Reagan Centennial/Camping World/Curb Records Chevrolet to a 26th-place finish driving for owner Mike Curb, in partnership with Richard Childress Racing.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:
What does it mean to you to run the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race for American Ethanol?
“It means a lot to have this opportunity. I look forward to representing American Ethanol, Growth Energy and the National Corn Growers Association in the Sprint Cup Series. They’ve become great partners for RCR in the Nationwide Series, and I commend their commitment to clean air. Michigan International Speedway has always been one of my favorite tracks, and I think it will be even more exciting to race there in the Cup Series race given the recent repave the track has undergone.”

How do you feel about running on Father’s Day weekend?
“My dad pushes me a lot. We always joke around and say we are going to take the radio from him during races because he is so vocal. I know he’s trying to help me, but we like to tease him about it. It’s cool to be able to run a Sprint Cup Series race on Father’s Day weekend because I am close to both my father and my grandfather. Everything we do together as a family is either hunting and fishing-related or racing-related, so even though it’s Father’s Day weekend, it’s not that much different from what we do every day. I’m proud of my family, and the organization my grandfather has built. He’s taught me about working hard. He built everything he has from the ground up and it’s an honor that he has given me the chance to race.”